Inclusive Companies

Inclusive Leadership
2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Loraine Martins

In this webinar, Loraine will share what inclusive leadership truly looks like in practice – from driving systemic change in large organisations to creating environments where people can flourish. Whether you’re looking to develop your own leadership skills or build more inclusive teams, Loraine’s expertise will provide both inspiration and practical takeaways. Expect dynamic insights, actionable strategies, and a fresh perspective on how to lead with inclusivity at the heart of everything you do. This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the UK’s leading voices on diversity and inclusion – don’t miss it!

About Loraine:
Loraine is the Global EDI Director at Arup, a leading sustainable development company, where she is at the forefront of driving equity, diversity, and inclusion on a global scale. With a career spanning high-impact roles, Loraine is uniquely positioned to offer invaluable insights into the transformative power of inclusive leadership.
Her track record speaks for itself: as the former Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail, she spent a decade leading change across one of Europe’s fastest-growing rail networks, embedding inclusion into its very fabric. Prior to that, Loraine was instrumental in delivering the award-winning inclusion and skills programme for the London 2012 Olympics, work that earned her an MBE. These experiences have honed her expertise in leading teams and organisations towards cultures where diversity thrives, and everyone feels they belong.
But Loraine’s influence doesn’t stop there. As vice chair of the Trust for London, she spearheaded campaigns like the London Living Wage, tackling inequality at its root. She has also been recognised as one of the top 100 women influencing engineering in the UK and received the Mike Nichols Award for her contributions to transformational change.

Black Inclusion – The Past, Present & Future
2024-10-15 09:30 - 13:30 | Rooftop, Penna, 10 Bishops Square, London, E1 6EG, United Kingdom
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!
Inclusive Companies are delighted to partner with Penna to deliver a transformational roof-top event in honour of Black History Month (BHM), focusing on the Past, Present & Future. We would like to formally invite you and your colleagues to attend this occasion.
Date: Tuesday 15th October
Time: 09.30 – 13.30 (Lunch provided)
Venue: Rooftop, Penna, 10 Bishops Square, London, E1 6EG (Venue is 5 minutes from Liverpool Street Station, 10 minutes from Shoreditch High Street)
Featuring keynote speakers, a panel session, and dynamic performances, this event will not only celebrate Black History but delve into various aspects of Black History through time, looking at where we have been, where we are now, and where are we going?
During this session, we will reflect on historical efforts to reclaim narratives and listen to those who have fostered positive change within the corporate environment. Learn how businesses have benefited from embracing the true stories and perspectives of Black employees, leading to more inclusive and innovative workplaces.
This interactive event will provide a safe space to hold discussions, aimed at developing actionable plans to continue reclaiming narratives that empower and support Black colleagues.
Should weather permit, we will be hosting lunch on Penna’s rooftop terrace with incredible views of the London skyline. Make sure to reserve yourself a place as we connect, share ideas, and build meaningful professional relationships.
Please note this year we will be charging a minimal fee for tickets to attend our event. The money from tickets sales will be donated to The Fire Fighters Charity in memory of Wayne Brown.

Itinerary
09.30 – 09.45
Delegate Registration
09.45 – 10.00
Samadora Mansaray, HR Director, Penna
Nabil Verdickt, Head of Performance Media & Analytics, Penna
Welcome & Introductions
10.00 – 10.15
Spoken Word Performance by Zara Dieobi
10.15 – 10.45
Josh Preye Garry, Author, Public Speaker, Educator, Historian, Leader – Reclaiming the Narrative
10.45 – 11.00
Interval
11.00 – 12.00
Panel session – The Present – How inclusive leaders are creating equitable workplaces
Panel Chair: Paul Sesay, CEO & Founder, Inclusive Companies | George Agyemang, Executive Director, Penna
Serena Simon, Director of Communities, Westminster City Council
Stuart Love, CEO, Westminster City Council
Dr Heather Melville OBE, Partner at Stork & May, Trustee & Senior Advisor, Entrepreneur, Chancellor of York University
Deborah Harris, FCA, Audit Committee Chair & Lay Member Council, The Nursing & Midwifery Council
12.00 – 12.45
The Future – Guided discussions around the room
The time for change is now! We all have a duty to drive change and set a course for a better, more inclusive future. During this segment we will share ideas and investigate what the future holds.
12.45 – 13.30
Lunch & Networking (Roof Top Terrace)

Guest speakers
Paul Sesay | Inclusive Companies
Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, Inclusive Awards and Inclusive Companies since 2006. Paul’s business acumen has mainly been with a social focus.
With over fifteen years worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion profiles.
He has also worked within local communities to help people from various backgrounds to achieve and empower disadvantaged groups throughout the UK. Paul’s initiatives have helped thousands of organisations and individuals get recognised for their hard work and dedication to diversity.

Stuart Love | Westminster City Council
Stuart has been Chief Executive at Westminster City Council since 2018. His previous role was Executive Director for City Management and Communities. He is the co-chair of the Chief Executive’s London Committee’s Tackling Racial Inequality Group London and a Business In The Community mentor. Under his leadership the following initiatives have been launched in Westminster City Council:
• Diverse shortlisted candidates• Inclusive recruitment• Reverse mentoring• The Black on Board governance training programme designed to mentor junior council officersStuart has ensured that the council publishes all of its pay gaps, not just the gender pay gap and has used this to address the gender and ethnicity pay gaps that exist in the organisation. During Stuart’s time as chief executive the demographics of the council have changed significantly to represent the communities it serves and representation at senior levels in the organisation has improved significantly.Stuart’s focus as chief executive is on people and culture, with equity, diversity and inclusion being at the core.

Serena Simon | Westminster City Council
Serena is a passionate and experienced disruptive leader in the field of community engagement/development, strategy, empowerment and inclusion.
She has worked with diverse and marginalised groups for over 20 years, championing their voices and addressing their needs. She has a strong track record of delivering innovative and impactful projects that tackle social issues such as anti-social behaviour, hate crime, violence against women and girls, and racial discrimination.
She is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of her/department and organisations work and has developed and implemented policies and strategies that foster a culture of respect, dignity and belonging for everyone, supporting this work across Westminster -the council and the place as well as wider in the Local government- as one of the leads under the London Councils Tackling Racial inequality group and the chair of the LC Community engagement forum.
Serena is currently the Director of Communities at Westminster city council, where she oversees a range of services and initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of residents, businesses and visitors in the heart of London, particularly proud to be leading the charge around tackling the shocking life expectancy gap within Westminster by reducing inequalities. A key leader in the organisational commitment to anti-racism as well as the work to improve equity through ridding the organisation of ethnicity and gender paygaps, Serena leads with her heart on her sleeve.
Serena is a keynote speaker across a national and international field and an active member of the Health led work to bring about improvement in the quality of life of patients and communities.

Josh Preye Garry
Growing up Josh Preye Garry struggled to see how and where he fitted in. Despite having no substantial support network, Josh worked hard and his passion for teaching and educating was born. Currently heading up the History Department at Platanos College, Josh is on a crusade to drive forward the conversation around Black History, and why it is integral to British History. In addition to leading on an A-level module on African American Civil Rights, Josh has played a key role in developing a Key Stage 3 curriculum that reflects the backgrounds of his student body, contributed to a new GCSE, and co-authored a GCSE course that explores Black British History. Proud recipient of a fellowship from the Historical Association, Josh is a shining example and a display of hope to a generation of young people who will follow in his footsteps.

Dr Heather Melville, OBE CMgr CCMI FCBI Partner, Stork & May Trustee and Senior Advisor, Entrepreneur Chancellor of York University
Heather’s career spans over 40 years across Financial, Professional & Technology Services, with a specific focus on international trade, entrepreneurship and corporate banking. Heather is a business thought leader and an innovator with a notable track record of building high performing diverse teams.
She has acted in an advisory capacity to FTSE CEOs across a multitude of industries and sectors. She is a highly respected and sought after public speaker, having addressed C-Suite leaders, senates, royalty, and global business audiences worldwide.
Heather has won many accolades, including being listed on the Black Powerlist, as one of the 100 most influential black people in the UK. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), whose purpose is to open channels of opportunity for black executives to positively impact business and communities, and the CFO’s Diversity Forum for Business in the Community (FTSE100).
Heather is also Patron of Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF) and in June 2024 she became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
In 2017 Heather was awarded an OBE for her services to Banking and Financial Services. In 2022 she was inaugurated as the Chancellor of the University of York.
Heather has acted as a Senior Advisor to a number of financial services, as well as a Trustee on the Board of Enfield Enterprise and until recently (following a 7-year tenure) was a Trustee on the Board for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). She now sits on the committee for Companions and has recently been elected to join the Everyone Economy Committee.

Understanding ADHD – Types, Lived Experiences, and Workplace Adjustments
2024-10-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Join us for an insightful webinar hosted by Inclusive Companies’ very own Abigail Kershaw, our panel are dedicated to raising awareness about ADHD. This event will explore the various types of ADHD, share personal lived experiences, and discuss actionable steps that workplaces can take to make reasonable adjustments for individuals with ADHD.
Our panel includes distinguished speakers with a wealth of experience in the field:
Lucian Main – A Partnership Executive at Inclusive Companies, he is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace, Lucian brings personal insight and professional expertise to the discussion. He will share his lived experiences with Inattentive ADHD, shedding light on the day-to-day realities and the importance of understanding and support.
Sophie Simpson – Founder of The Standout Agency, Sophie is a dedicated champion for inclusivity and diversity. Her work focuses on creating environments where everyone can thrive, regardless of their neurodiversity. Sophie will discuss the critical role of implementing effective adjustments that benefit both employees and employers, as well as sharing her own experience navigating a corporate world with ADHD.
Tony Lloyd – CEO of the ADHD Foundation, Liverpool, Tony is an esteemed authority on ADHD. With extensive experience in advocacy, education, and support, he will provide valuable insights into the different types of ADHD and how organisations can foster a more inclusive environment for those with the condition.

The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with our panellists.
This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in understanding ADHD and promoting a more inclusive workplace culture.

Understanding Antisemitism
2024-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Antisemitism is currently the fastest-rising form of racism in the UK. This alarming trend has led to an estimated 70% of British Jews feeling the need to hide their identity. The situation has grown so dire that nearly 50% of British Jews have considered leaving the country since October 7, 2023. This rise in antisemitism highlights a critical need for increased awareness, understanding, and proactive measures to combat anti-Jewish racism and foster a safer, more inclusive environment for all. Inclusive Companies is proud to partner with Understanding Antisemitism Matters to deliver this thought-provoking webinar on ‘understanding antisemitism’.
Contents:
• The history of anti-Jewish hatred goes back 2,000 years.
• Recent statistics.
• Real-life stories about the everyday lived experience of Jewish people.
• Tools to create inclusive workplace environments.
• A platform for employees to share experience and ask questions.
Key Learnings:

Awareness Gap: Many people lack awareness but are eager to listen and learn beyond their social media feeds.
Inclusive Conversations: Frame discussions by emphasising that supporting one community does not come at the expense of another, reducing the discomfort of such conversations.
Starting Conversations: You don’t need to be an expert on the Middle East or the history of antisemitism to discuss the Jewish experience.
Blind Spot on Antisemitism: Antisemitism often isn’t viewed as racism and isn’t condemned like hatred against other minority groups. The term “antisemitism” can be confusing; “anti-Jewish racism” is clearer, but we use “antisemitism” initially as it’s more familiar.
Empathy Misconception: People often mistakenly believe empathy is limited. In reality, the more empathy you show, the more you generate.

Rachel Vecht & Michal Oshman have 50 years‘ experience between them of nurturing inclusive workplace cultures, retaining talent, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. They are thrilled to share their knowledge and encourage you and your colleagues to join the discussion. This impactful webinar is not one to be missed.

Co-facilitated by:
Rachel Vecht
Founded Educating Matters in 2001 and partners with D&I, L&D, HR and ERGs to support employees worldwide. She guides, educates and builds awareness around inclusion and culture change, providing employee wellbeing training across many varied sectors.

Michal Oshman
Drove culture and leadership at TikTok and Meta where she used a blend of spirituality and leadership principles to create compassionate workplaces. As a bestselling author and TEDx speaker, she shares her insights on culture, growth, and career success.

Redesigning Spaces - Fostering Inclusion and Creativity at Arup
2024-09-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Luke Ives and Elisabetta Carattin will present Arup’s office space restructuring, designed with employees in mind to promote inclusion and foster a workplace that encourages wellbeing and creativity.
Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue about accessibility, not only within the workplace but also regarding the broader impact the building sector can have on society. Our goal is to foster an environment of shared learning and collaboration, starting with a deep dive into workplace accessibility.

Luke Ives is Culture, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Arup, where he provides specialist EDI advice and support to integrate inclusive principles into Arup’s projects, operational plans, policies, and business processes. His work includes delivering inclusion action plans, training solutions, and coaching senior leaders and colleagues to create and implement evidence-based EDI initiatives. As an APMP-qualified professional, Luke has extensive experience across various project types and sectors, where he collaborates with clients, partners, and sub-consultants on large-scale opportunities to drive EDI improvements.
Luke’s commitment to EDI extends beyond his role at Arup. He served as Vice-Chair of Trustees for The Proud Trust, overseeing the charity’s activities and the delivery of a new £2.5m LGBTQ+ community centre. Additionally, as a former Executive Committee member of Building Equality, Luke coordinated an alliance of over 60 construction and engineering organisations to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion, making the industry more welcoming and supportive for marginalised communities.
Recognised for his contributions to diversity and inclusion, Luke was named a British LGBT Award Top 10 Diversity Hero in 2022, a UK Construction Week Role Model for 2020/21, and an OUTstanding Future Leader in 2019.

Elisabetta Carattin Ph.D, is a Senior Access and Inclusive Design Consultant with the Arup Access and Inclusive Environments team in London. She is an accredited access professional with the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC), as well as internationally recognised under the Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments scheme, with the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).
Elisabetta brings a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to developing inclusive design strategies based on her experience in Architecture, Human Behaviour in Fire and Fire Safety Engineering. Elisabetta works across all sectors giving advice regarding inclusive design at all project stages.

Inclusive Recruitment with Hannah Crawford (She/Her)
2024-09-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
In today’s competitive job market, fostering an inclusive recruitment process is not just a moral imperative but a business advantage. During this session, Hannah Crawford, Talent Acquisition Manager at DFS and Sofology Retail will share her journey on inclusive recruitment strategies designed to help organisations attract, hire, and retain a diverse workforce.
So, whether you’re a hiring manager, an HR professional, or just someone who cares about fairness and inclusion, join Hannah to discuss how to put steps in to your hiring process to ensure inclusivity and fairness throughout, what the benefits are of doing it and how it helps your candidates be the best selves!

About Facilitator:
“I’m excited to share a bit about myself and my journey in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. My current role is Talent Acquisition Manager at DFS and Sofology Retail and we’ve been working hard to create hiring practices that welcome and celebrate a diverse range of talent.
I’m all about fighting for what’s right, and for me, that means making sure everyone has a fair shot, no matter where they come from. This passion isn’t just part of my job- it’s a personal mission. I love breaking down barriers and building environments where every voice is heard and valued.
Over the years, I’ve faced and tackled many challenges in making recruitment more inclusive. These experiences have taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t. I’ve seen how diversity can drive success and innovation in a company, and I’m eager to share what I’ve learned and hear your thoughts too.”

The National Diversity Awards Networking Showcase!
2024-09-11 11:15 - 15:00 | HSBC UK, 1 Centenary Sq, Birmingham, B1 1HQ, United Kingdom
Connect, Celebrate, Collaborate

This invitation only event in partnership with the new headline Sponsors HSBC UK celebrates our shortlist ahead of this year’s much anticipated ceremony.
Date: 11th September
Location: HSBC UK, 1 Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 1HQ
Time: 11.15am – 15.00pm
Join us for an inspiring and unforgettable afternoon at the National Diversity Award Networking Showcase, a celebration dedicated to honouring and connecting the trailblazers and alumni of the UK’s largest diversity awards. This special gathering unites positive role models, business leaders and unsung diversity champions from across the UK to forge powerful new connections, collaborate, and drive meaningful change.
This year marks the monumental 13th anniversary of the National Diversity Awards, celebrating thousands of charities, role models, and community heroes across the UK for their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. The crème de la crème of past and present National Diversity Award winners, shortlisted nominees, judges, and sponsors will be in attendance, serving as the perfect means to celebrate and share your stories.
What to expect:
Meet the Nominees: Engage with the distinguished nominees of the National Diversity Awards who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion in their communities.
Network with Leaders: Connect with influential leaders, change-makers, and advocates from a broad spectrum of diverse communities including some of this year’s sponsors and judges. This is a unique opportunity to share experiences, ideas, and strategies for fostering positive change.
Celebrate Unsung Heroes: Recognise and celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes and gain insights into their impactful work.
Be Part of Our Story: We are creating a special video that will highlight what makes each of our nominees proud to be different. This video will be showcased on the night of the National Diversity Awards, celebrating your unique contributions to diversity and inclusion.
Featuring a guided networking session, a panel session, and a host of inspirational speakers, this exciting event will provide unprecedented networking opportunities in a spectacular celebration of inclusion. (Itinerary and details to follow)
We are thrilled to offer you two complimentary tickets to attend this event – we encourage you to join us! *Please note this event is on a ‘first come first served’ basis*
For further information and to register, please contact info@inclusivecompanies.co.uk
Kind Regards,
The National Diversity Awards

Unite to Succeed: Who are Male Allies, Why Are They Needed, and How Can They Help?
2024-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Alex Robinson from Yellow Sky
Men are, broadly speaking, better catered for than most. We know this, but are we missing a trick when we talk about men and inclusion? Who are these men, how can they help to make workplaces more Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive? Why should they; what’s in it for them?
Join us for a thought-provoking talk designed for business leaders and HR professionals committed to creating inclusive workplaces.
This session looks at the role of male allies in enhancing organisational culture, breaking down generational and intersectional perspectives to address the real challenges and opportunities in allyship.
We’ll explore real-world barriers, and arm you with actionable strategies through engaging case studies.
Whether you’re looking to refine your existing initiatives or start new ones, this talk will equip you with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change.
Register now to be part of shaping a more successful future!

About Alex
Alex Robinson, founder of ‘Yellow Sky’, started his venture in January 2024 after 15 years in Rail Operations Leadership, a sector known for its predominantly male workforce.
His journey in the Rail Industry was marked by his personal commitment to building large, diverse, and inclusive frontline and management teams. His hands-on approach and dedication to promoting equality have made significant strides towards reshaping workplace culture in a traditionally uniform field.
Alex’s extensive real-life experience brings an authentic and relatable perspective to his talks. He regularly engages audiences with his insights on male allyship, leadership, and the nuances of creating a supportive workplace for all.
Known for his empathetic and reflective nature, Alex’s presentations are brought to life with humour and thoughtfulness, making complex topics accessible and engaging. His ability to connect with people at all levels of an organisation cements his status as a sought-after speaker and consultant for workplace diversity.

What's Next? Proactive Approaches to Strengthen LGBTQ+ Inclusion Beyond Pride Month
2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Join me, Lucian Main, for an engaging and insightful webinar titled “What Next?” where we’ll explore how companies can extend their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion beyond the colourful celebrations of Pride Month. As a transgender male, I bring firsthand experience and a passionate perspective on creating truly inclusive environments.
In this one-hour, open-to-all session, as a panel we will discuss practical, proactive strategies that organisations can implement to foster a supportive and inclusive culture for LGBTQ+ employees year-round. Topics will include:

Notable Awareness Days
Creating safe and inclusive spaces
Supporting employee resource groups
Ensuring representation and visibility
Q&A with panel

This webinar is designed for business leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplace. By attending, you will gain actionable insights and leave with a clear vision to make a meaningful impact within your organisation. It will be an informal discussion, with lots of opportunity to ask questions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and grow together. Let’s move beyond the rainbow and create lasting change. Sign up now for “What Next?” and be part of the future of inclusion.

Guest Speakers
Lucian Main (He/Him)
Lucian Main (He/Him) is an ED&I Partnership Executive at Inclusive Companies with a passion for Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Lucian believes in their transformative power to enhance workplace culture, drive engagement, and promote a sense of belonging. He actively participates in and supports various ERGs, recognising their crucial role in creating a more equitable and supportive workplace for everyone. Lucian like the rest of his panel understands the impact that 365 LGBTQ+ Inclusion can have.

Evie Crutchley (she/they/it)
Evie Crutchley (she/they/it) is a Data Engineer at Auto Trader and a facilitator of their LGBT+ network.
In the former role, she creates and maintains tools, models and infrastructure to ensure that customers and colleagues have accurate data on the performance of adverts and the health of the automotive market.
More relevantly, in the latter role, they work both internally and externally to raise awareness of issues facing the LGBT+ community, and run events, socials and campaigns to support and celebrate the identities of all of our colleagues.
As a transgender woman, she’s benefitted immensely from the care and community that a well-established employee network provides, and is zealously enthusiastic about making sure others get similar levels of understanding and support.

Oscar Hoyle (They/Them)
Oscar Hoyle is the Chief Executive Officer of Blossom LGBT CIC. Blossom is a non-profit organisation with the focus of empowering LGBTQIA+ young adults to succeed without the fear of discrimination, offering a number of group and one-to-one services across the UK. Oscar aims to create change through using the voices and experiences of the young adults that they and their team supports at Blossom to create tangible and evidence grounded support for businesses.

‘Free to be me’: Celebrating this South Asian Heritage Month
2024-07-29 11:00 - 12:30 | Online Webinar
Getting ready to Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month? Our upcoming webinar celebrates this South Asian Heritage Month’s theme – ‘Free to be me’. During this session we will be joined by our esteemed facilitator Laks Mann, accompanied by 3 dynamic panellists
who will share their personal journeys of bringing their authentic self to, and beyond the workplace. Together, we’ll delve into the heart of inclusivity, drawing inspiration from direct experiences to pave the way for a more inclusive future not just during SAHM but year-round. This event is a great chance to celebrate the essence of what it means to be and work alongside individuals with South Asian Heritage.

Facilitated by Laks Mann
Laks Mann is a Creative Strategist and an award-winning Diversity and Inclusion Champion with a career spanning the corporate, charitable, and public sectors.
Laks currently works with the College of Policing building its first-ever National Talent Development Strategy. Laks previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC before joining JLL and Deutsche Bank, later moving to the charity sector to work in sustainability, before embarking on a career in policing.
Laks is a Mayor of London appointed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor to City Hall, a Trustee and LGBTQ+ Lead for South Asian Heritage Month, a Trustee for global wellbeing charity caba, and is the Founder of Gaysians UK.
Laks is a British LGBT+ Awards 2024 Finalist, was named in the inaugural Diversity Power List 2022/23 honouring the UK’s Top 50 D&I changemakers, and is the Winner of the LGBT+ Positive Role Model 2020 Award at the prestigious National Diversity Awards. Laks was a Finalist at the Rainbow Honours 2022 and the British Diversity Awards 2020, and was also listed in the Top 30 BAME Leaders of 2020 by the University of Oxford and House of Commons.

Panellists
Anna Dilku
Anna Dilku leads Aviva’s corporate social media, having gained diverse experience across multiple communications disciplines since starting her career at the world’s largest media agency, WPP. She was the founding co-chair of Aviva Balance and has since co-chaired the organisation’s award-winning multicultural network, Aviva Origins. She has represented UN Women UK at the Commission on the Status of Women for the last 4 years and her work in inclusion has earned her Women in Finance’s Outstanding Contribution Award, Advertising Week’s Future is Female Award and CommsHero’s EDI Award. Anna is listed 8th globally in YouTube’s EMpower top 100 role models and features in the Media Leader’s Future 100 Club.

Tokeer Ahmed
Tokeer Ahmed has been working within the IT industry for nearly 20 years. He helps clients with their digital transformations by delivering and implementing customer relationship management solutions using Salesforce. Since 2012, he has been a consultant at Capgemini where he currently leads a team of over 150 consultants.
Tokeer is also very passionate about diversity and inclusion. He embodies a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through his multifaceted roles. As Chair of the Race & Equality Network (REN) at Capgemini UK since 2021, he has spearheaded initiatives to foster a more inclusive workplace. Under his leadership, REN expanded to include five sub-networks for various faith communities, facilitating understanding and unity. Tokeer played a pivotal role in creating an anti-racism toolkit and organized workshops addressing career challenges faced by people of colour. His impact extends beyond Capgemini, supporting mentoring schemes for young Black women and delivering inspirational talks for organisations like The Prince’s Trust.
In 2023 and 2024 he made it on the Empower Top 100 Role Model List, as well as the Global Diversity List 2023. He was also nominated for Inspirational Role Model at the European Diversity Awards. He has been nominated for Ally of the Year at the Black Tech Achievement Awards and most recently became the winner of Diversity Ally of the Year at the Digital Revolution Awards 2024.

Pepi Sappal
Founder and Director of Fair Play Talks and the Head of PR & Communications at myGwork, Pepi Sappal has a long history of writing on diversity, equity, inclusion and wellbeing issues, as well as HR, business, marketing and international management, spanning more than two decades for publications, such as the Wall St Journal (WSJ), Dow Jones and Edge Magazine. She was also the diversity columnist for the WSJ for a number of years, and the former editor of several business magazines such as the British Chambers of Commerce’s National Review and HR publications Global HR, HR World and Human Resources Magazine. Pepi is also a judge for the Inclusive Awards.

Making Equity, Diversity and inclusion Everyone’s Business: Building Accountability at all levels
2024-07-10 12:00 - 12:45 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by Anna Sirmoglou | Mott Macdonald

In this session, we will discuss how Mott MacDonald is integrating Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into its organisational practices. We will delve into our inclusive behaviour campaign aimed at cultivating a more respectful and welcoming workplace culture. The session will also highlight our reciprocal mentoring scheme, which facilitates mutual learning and understanding among employees from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, we will outline our approach to setting and tracking EDI performance goals to ensure measurable progress and accountability. This session is designed to provide insights and strategies that others can adopt to enhance their own EDI efforts.
About Anna:
Anna Sirmoglou is the Europe and UK Mott Macdonald Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lead./ She leads the development and delivery of the regional EDI strategy which includes the design and implementation of practices, initiatives and programmes that foster an environment of inclusion for the workforce./ Anna has extensive experience in the field of diversity and inclusion, supporting positive outcomes in the public, private and third sectors./ Anna has a strong transport inclusion and accessibility background./ Other key areas of focus include diversity management, strategic planning, community engagement and fostering a culture that makes change possible./ Anna holds a Master of Science in International Relations and a Doctorate in Political Science.

Navigating Toxic Cultures in the Workplace
2024-07-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Join us for an insightful session where we dive deep into understanding and transforming workplace culture.
In this session, we’ll explore the intricacies of organisational culture through the lens of the PSI Culture Framework.
We’ll dissect the 6 dimensions and key components that underpin a healthy workplace culture, and explore the 5 levels of culture within an organisation – shedding light on how they contribute to organisational success.
We’ll also delve into:

The Hierarchy of Psychological Safety, a roadmap that outlines the levels of responsibility organisations have in cultivating a psychologically safe environment.
The 5 Pillars of Psychological Safety, providing a practical framework for applying the principles of the Hierarchy and PSI Culture Framework in your organisation.
The Pledges and Self-Assessment questions, designed to enable reflection on your workplace culture and take meaningful steps towards positive change.

By the end of this session, you will be empowered to navigate toxic cultures, identify signs and sources of toxicity and promote psychological safety within your organisation.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your workplace culture and create an environment where your people thrive.

About Gina
Gina Battye, Founder and CEO of the Psychological Safety Institute, is a global leader and trailblazer in workplace psychological safety. Through her pioneering work with the 5 Pillars and the Hierarchy of Psychological Safety, Gina has revolutionised the approach to inclusion, belonging and organisational culture. Her innovative methodologies have been embraced by multinational corporations worldwide, earning her reputation as a visionary leader in the field.

World Refugee Day
2024-06-20

Online Round Table: DEI Must Live
2024-06-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Online Round Table
The purpose for this event is for DEI professionals to come together to further the conversation from the House of Lords event in addition to planning actionable steps to provide a supportive network where DEI thrives this will include how to create a safe space for CEOs to give their input. We plan to host a further session after this where we will implement these steps and bring along CEOs.
The session will explore but is not limited to:

How we can all quantify the impact of DEI initiatives through a commercial lens to emphasise the benefits to business.
How we can collaboratively involve CEOs directly in future DEI discussions and events
Steps towards fostering supportive networks to share best practices without competition

This event is exclusive to Inclusive Companies Members only – to secure your place, please email info@inclusivecompanies.co.uk

How bringing your authentic self to work enables you to thrive
2024-06-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by

With both Neurodiversity Pride Day and LGBT+ Pride Month being celebrated during June, members from Auto Trader’s Disability and Neurodiversity and LGBT+ Network will be sharing how Auto Trader has created an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work and truly thrive in their role.

Facilitated by:
Nardia
Digital Retail Operations Lead & D&N Lead
Working with internal and external stakeholders, working within the Digital Retailing team to ensure our customers feel confident, safe, and supported when purchasing a vehicle online.
I work daily with other squad leads, digital analysts, product managers, and developers to improve our products and make them better for digital retailing customers.
My role is to manage the team’s day-to-day operations, support the squad leader, and coach and mentor digital analysts actively and personally.
I’m the Network lead for the Disability and Neurodiversity Network, which brings together colleagues from across the business to raise awareness and make a difference to our colleagues, customers, and communities with disabilities and/or neurodiverse conditions.

Evie
Platform Engineering Developer & LGBT+ Network Facilitator
As a developer, I create and maintain tools, models and infrastructure to ensure that customers and colleagues have accurate, relevant, and up-to-date data on the performance of adverts, the movement of stock, and the health of the automotive market.
I work closely with other developers in squads across the business to ensure a responsive data platform with consistent tooling and a strong cultural focus on sharing learning and best practices.
I’m also a facilitator for the LGBT+ network. We work both internally and externally to raise awareness of issues facing the LGBT+ community and run events, socials and campaigns to support and celebrate the identities of all of our colleagues.

Llinos Cryer (happy to be called Nos)
Pronouns: she/her
Frontend Developer in Product Engineering and Disability & Neurodiversity Network facilitator.
I’m a frontend developer in our Digital Retailing Consumer team, where I build and refine products that our consumers use to order vehicles online. I am particularly interested in the accessibility of our products to ensure that all consumers are included when visiting Auto Trader. I work closely with other developers, designers, product leads, delivery leads, analysts and our customer support teams to ensure that our consumers feel supported and informed throughout their online car-buying journey and that our teams internally at Auto Trader share knowledge and collaborate to build the best products we can. I’m also a facilitator for the D&N Network here at Auto Trader, where I host events, run awareness campaigns internally, fundraise, and work with our other employee networks to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone here at Auto Trader.

Autistic Pride Day
2024-06-18
Inclusive Companies Resources
CREATING AN AUTISTIC FRIENDLY WORKING ENVIRONMENT
AUTISM IN THE WORKPLACE: EMBRACING INCLUSIVITY THROUGHOUT NEW WAYS OF WORKING

Learning Disability Week
2024-06-17 - 2024-06-23
Inclusive Companies Webinars & Toolkits
DISABILITY INCLUSIVE PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE
‘ARE WE GETTING DISABILITY AND NEURODIVERSITY INCLUSION RIGHT?’
STAMMERING, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
NON-VISIBLE DISABILITIES TOOLKIT
CONSIDERING HOW TO ENSURE YOU HAVE ACCESSIBLE HIRING PROCESSES
WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY
WE CAN ALL BE #PEOPLESMART

World Blood Donor Day
2024-06-14

Bringing the inside out: How Auto Trader are addressing Social Mobility in Tech
2024-06-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by

In the run-up to Social Mobility Awareness Day on the 13th of June, hear from Auto Trader’s Social Mobility employee Network as they lift the lid on class and address Social Mobility imbalance in the tech industry.
With the network celebrating their 1 year anniversary recently, hear about their learnings, actions and changes embraced, with the support of Auto Trader.
The Tech charter recently reported that only 9% of Tech employees are from a lower working class background. This compares with 31% of employees at Auto Trader, but despite this, we still have work to do to better represent the communities within our reach, with the national average sitting at 39%.

In this webinar you will learn:
– What Social Mobility is and why it’s important for organisations
– How we started and what we did in our first year
– Who we worked with, learned from and the available resources that can support you too
– What’s next and our plans for the year ahead
Auto Trader have featured in the Top 75 Social Mobility Employers list for the past 4 years and we’re shortlisted for best Social Mobility Project in 2022 with Inclusive Companies.

About the facilitators

Peter Farrell – Product & Technology Director:
Pete has worked at Auto Trader for more than 10 years across a wide range of product roles and is a leader in Auto Trader’s Product & Technology community.
Championing diversity in the workplace, Pete works closely with Auto Trader’s talent team not only helping individuals find the right opportunities, but supporting them on their journey to thrive as they progress into more senior roles.
Passionate about the power of people, Pete discovered his interest in team dynamics when he first joined the tech industry as a Graduate Programmer in 1997. Pete’s interest developed further as he moved into team leadership for a software house and then into the world of consultancy. After assignments consulting for the NHS, BAE Systems & Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Pete finally found his way to Auto Trader in 2012.
Pete joined the Auto Trader Social Mobility network as a senior sponsor in mid-2023, and working alongside the Co-Leads, and Facilitators has been instrumental in establishing the network, and raising awareness in Auto Trader around social mobility, especially in the North-West a place Pete is proud to have always called home

Claire Baty – Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance and Company Secretary
Claire joined Auto Trader in July 2015 and is responsible for corporate governance; legal services; regulatory compliance; procurement; and risk management – all a fundamental part of our purpose to Drive Change Together, Responsibly.
Claire describes herself as proudly working-class, and is passionate about creating an environment where people can reach their full potential, regardless of socio-economic background or educational opportunities. Claire is an advocate for alternative career routes and professional development, having starting her working life at the age of 18 in a small accountancy practice in Stockport, she became a qualified accountant, holds an MBA from Manchester Business School and is now a member of the Operational Leadership Team at Auto Trader. Claire has been the Sponsor of Auto Trader’s Social Mobility Network from its inception in 2023.

Brad Mills – Performance Manager
Brad specialises in enhancing omnichannel solutions for automotive retailers to meet the ever-evolving consumer buying journey, as a Performance Manager at Auto Trader.
Brad graduated with a first-class honours degree in Business Management from Lancaster University in 2018. He commenced his journey at Auto Trader in October 2020 during the pandemic, joining as a Graduate Account Manager. Through this role, Brad participated in a comprehensive two-year consultative sales programme, engaging in various rotations to collaborate with independent and franchise automotive retailers, nurturing strong partnerships and equipping retailers with essential tools and insights to enhance efficiency and drive sales.
Brad also serves as a co-Facilitator of the Social Mobility Network at Auto Trader. Growing up in Blackpool, one of the most deprived areas in the UK, Brad is passionate about working towards a place where everyone has access to equal opportunities regardless of socio-economic background, supporting inclusion and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups to achieve their full potential in employment and education.

Sarah Brooks-Pearce – Head of Early Careers
Sarah creates brilliant career journeys for future talent at one of the most forward-thinking technical businesses in the UK, as Head of Early Careers at Auto Trader. Working with various education partners, community organisations, and charities, she inspires students, graduates, and returners to explore the incredible possibilities of STEM subjects and tech careers.
Sarah has ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia and grew up in a single-parent household, and started her career as an apprentice straight from high school, with little guidance, direction but thankfully with a lot of good luck. This is where her passion for raising awareness and breaking down barriers around Social Mobility as well as Disability and Neurodiversity, has seen her take the role of Social Mobility Network Co-Lead, and a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Guild. With a wealth of experience in Tech Resourcing and Talent roles in different industries and as a parent, Sarah is passionate about increasing the number of people entering the Technology industry and driving change to ensure that everybody has the insight and opportunities to start a great career in tech.
She is a proud member of the Greater Manchester Neurodiversity and Learning Disability Employer Network, STEM Ambassador, Enterprise Advisor, Chartered Member of the CIPD, and Associate Member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council

Monica Mistry – Squad Lead
Profile coming soon!

Global Inclusion Week
2024-06-10 - 2024-06-16

Unlock the potential within your organisation
2024-06-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
In conversation with Stuart Love, Serena Simon (Westminster City Council) and Paul Sesay (Inclusive Companies)

The City of Westminster is a hub for diversity. However, upon publishing their Pay Gap Report in 2019, the council discovered that their workforce was not reflective of the community they serve. Under the leadership of Chief Executive, Stuart Love, they began to address the areas for improvement.
Stuart and Serena Simon, Director of Communities are Westminster City Council, share a commitment and authentic passion for creating an inclusive organisation. Driven by tackling the lack of representation across senior leadership in Local Government and the wider public and private sectors, their efforts have led the start of the transformation in Westminster City Council into a thriving, diverse and inclusive organisation often challenging and disrupting existing processes and policies to introduce new programmes that drive this agenda. This includes the implementation of several enterprising training programmes, transformation of recruitment practices, achieve a representative org at all levels and the commitment to significantly reduce the gender and ethnicity pay gaps by 2025. As a result, the reputation of Westminster has successfully changed, staff engagement has increased exponentially over the last five years and our resident satisfaction has reached good levels.
During this webinar, CEO of Inclusive Companies Paul Sesay will be joined in conversation with Stuart and Serena Simon to discuss strategy, becoming an inclusive employer, and their courageous efforts in shifting the dial. This session will also allow time for audience Q&A as we delve into inclusive best practices.

Stuart Love
Stuart has been Chief Executive at Westminster City Council since 2018. His previous role was Executive Director for City Management and Communities. He is the co-chair of the Chief Executive’s London Committee’s Tackling Racial Inequality Group London and a Business In The Community mentor. Under his leadership the following initiatives have been launched in Westminster City Council:
• Diverse shortlisted candidates• Inclusive recruitment• Reverse mentoring• The Black on Board governance training programme designed to mentor junior council officersStuart has ensured that the council publishes all of its pay gaps, not just the gender pay gap and has used this to address the gender and ethnicity pay gaps that exist in the organisation. During Stuart’s time as chief executive the demographics of the council have changed significantly to represent the communities it serves and representation at senior levels in the organisation has improved significantly.Stuart’s focus as chief executive is on people and culture, with equity, diversity and inclusion being at the core.

Serena Simon
Serena is a passionate and experienced disruptive leader in the field of community engagement/development, strategy, empowerment and inclusion.
She has worked with diverse and marginalised groups for over 20 years, championing their voices and addressing their needs. She has a strong track record of delivering innovative and impactful projects that tackle social issues such as anti-social behaviour, hate crime, violence against women and girls, and racial discrimination.
She is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of her/department and organisations work and has developed and implemented policies and strategies that foster a culture of respect, dignity and belonging for everyone, supporting this work across Westminster -the council and the place as well as wider in the Local government- as one of the leads under the London Councils Tackling Racial inequality group and the chair of the LC Community engagement forum.
Serena is currently the Director of Communities at Westminster city council, where she oversees a range of services and initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of residents, businesses and visitors in the heart of London, particularly proud to be leading the charge around tackling the shocking life expectancy gap within Westminster by reducing inequalities. A key leader in the organisational commitment to anti-racism as well as the work to improve equity through ridding the organisation of ethnicity and gender paygaps, Serena leads with her heart on her sleeve.
Serena is a keynote speaker across a national and international field and an active member of the Health led work to bring about improvement in the quality of life of patients and communities.

Paul Sesay
Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, Inclusive Awards and Inclusive Companies since 2006. Paul’s business acumen has mainly been with a social focus.
With over fifteen years worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion profiles.
He has also worked within local communities to help people from various backgrounds to achieve and empower disadvantaged groups throughout the UK. Paul’s initiatives have helped thousands of organisations and individuals get recognised for their hard work and dedication to diversity.

Online Policing Round Table Discussion: Changing the Narrative on Inclusion
2024-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Round Table
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!
In response to the challenges currently facing policing and the heightened scrutiny this sector is under, we invite you to a virtual round table discussion specifically for Police Forces, that aims to reshape the narrative on inclusion. This online event provides a platform for open and constructive dialogue, bringing together diverse voices to explore innovative strategies for fostering inclusion.
Hosted and chaired by Rozila Kana, Inclusion & Diversity Manager at Lancashire Constabulary and Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers Judge, this session will not only provide a safe space for Inclusive Companies Members to discuss barriers and solutions, but Rozila will share useful tips for those participating in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List 2024/25, or those interested in taking part.
With submissions now open, this is a prime opportunity to learn more from those who have been there and done it! Rozila will deliver an interactive round table to help you embark on your IT50 journey, as well as foster dialogue between current police force members.

During this session, Rozila will…

Provide a safe space for members and non members from police forces to discuss barriers to inclusion and share best practice
Explore the importance of the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers
Provide examples of successful employers – the do’s & don’ts
Allow Participants to explore gaps in an unsuccessful submission
Analyse Case Study of a successful submission
Host a Q&A session to answer all of your vital questions

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE!

Menopause, Menstruation and Menstrual Health in the Workplace
2024-05-20 11:00 - 12:00
Facilitated by Sally Leech | Henpicked

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have published their first guidance on menopause in the workplace. In 2023 BSI released guidance on Menopause, Menstruation and Menstrual Health in the Workplace.
But do you understand what this means for your organisation? Or what you need to do?
We’re inviting you to join this informative session on navigating menopause, menstruation, and menstrual health in the workplace with Sally Leech, Director of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace.
Here’s what we’ll be diving into:

Why this is so important for your organisation
Understanding the facts of menopause and menstrual health in the workplace
Breaking down what the Equality and Human Rights Commission announcement means for employers
Understanding learnings from current case law and key considerations for your organisation
What it means to be a menopause friendly and menstruation friendly employer

Facilitated by Sally Leech:
Sally Leech is a Director of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, The Menopause Friendly Accreditation and The Menstruation Friendly Accreditation. Henpicked have been working with UK-wide and international organisations for over 8 years to make it easier for them to introduce the right training, policies and practices to raise awareness, education and support organisations in becoming menopause friendly and now menstruation friendly.
Prior to re-qualifying as a Women’s Health Coach, Sally held several senior management positions in Human Resources. She has combined this expertise in her work with Henpicked, focusing on breaking the taboo of menopause and now menstruation and menstrual health within the workplace and raising awareness for employers, managers and colleagues.

Round Table Discussion – Retaining Diverse Talent
2024-05-15 11:00 - 13:00 | Moneysupermarket, No1 Spinningfields, Floor 16, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB, UK, United Kingdom
Date: 15th May 2024
Time: 11.00 – 13.00
Address: Moneysupermarket, No1 Spinningfields, Floor 16, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB, UK

Inclusive Companies are thrilled to collaborate with Moneysupermarket Group to offer our members the chance to participate in a round table discussion to share insights and strategies on how to retain diverse talent. This topic was explored at a previous session you may have attended back in February, and due to demand, knowledge and interest (Plus lack of time!) we are thrilled to continue the conversation to delve deeper into this theme.
During this session we will bring together senior leaders, HR professionals, D&I practitioners and talent acquisition managers from various industries that are committed to advancing D&I within their organisation to share best practice. From organisations at the very beginning of their journey, to those who are more advanced in this area, we to hear from members who are keen to optimise this discussion. We will…

Engage in thought-provoking discussions, sharing different perspectives on retaining talent from various backgrounds.
Explore innovative strategies and best practices that promote a culture of inclusivity and reach a diverse talent pool.
Gain insights from members who have successfully championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. Learn about their experiences, challenges, and the transformative impact on their organisations.
Participate in a conversation tailored to equip you with practical tools and advice to take back to your workplace.
Connect with professionals, HR specialists, and diversity advocates who are passionate about creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. Build valuable relationships and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals committed to driving positive change.

This round table discussion will provide a platform and voice for participants to share their experiences and valuable insights on retaining diverse talent. Spaces are limited to 20-25 people and are available on a first come first serve basis (one person per organisation). To secure your place, please email: info@inclusivecompanies.co.uk

EMPower Community - Empowering Employee Voices
2024-05-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
UK Power Networks’ EMPower Community is unique, bringing together individual network groups to form a vibrant employee-led platform dedicated to ensuring diversity and inclusion across all dimensions: including age, disability, gender, LGBTQ+, and race. With over 450 members, the network has experienced a remarkable 35% growth over the past year.
EMPower plays a pivotal role in supporting the organization’s Workforce Resilience Strategy particularly in Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) efforts.
We are looking forward to sharing how the EMPower Community is delivering long-lasting positive change through:

Policy Influence.
Informing D&I Strategy.
Raising Awareness.

The EMPower Community’s initiatives showcases our unwavering commitment to advancing inclusivity within our organization. Our presence assures employees of our dedication to making inclusion an everyday reality for all. We take pride in our achievements and are excited about the journey ahead as we champion positive change and foster a workplace where every individual is valued.

About the facilitators
Patrick Clarke
Born in St Thomas, Jamaica, Patrick Clarke relocated to London in 1969 as part of the Windrush generation, rejoining his family. Today, he stands as the Director of Network Operations at UK Power Networks, the UK’s foremost electricity distributor. Under his leadership, a team of 6,000 oversees a £700m yearly budget and ensures the power supply to over 20 million residents and businesses in the southeast of England, encompassing London.
With a career spanning over 45 years, Patrick is esteemed for his relentless commitment to aiding those less fortunate in realizing their professional and life goals. His journey included a pivotal stint with the Met Police in the mid-1980s, a period that fortified his resilience and enhanced his interpersonal expertise.
For his remarkable contributions in both the business and societal realms of the UK, Patrick has been lauded with numerous honours:

Ambassador for London for Leadership and Diversity by Prince Charles (2008)
OBE recipient (2012)
Honorary Doctorate in Engineering (2014).
Moreover, as an author, he penned “Made in Britain,” with 12,000 copies in circulation.

Central to his leadership ethos are his deeply-held personal values.

Liz Nash
Liz has always been passionate about developing talent and creating inclusive workplaces. She started her career at Ernst & Young, where she learned a lot about early careers programs. Liz moved to UK Power Networks’ Talent Acquisition team in 2018, where she continued to demonstrate her commitment to helping people.
In 2021, Liz took on a new challenge as Employee Engagement Manager, leading UK Power’s Networks efforts towards making it a great place to work. Under her direction, the company kept its place in the top 10 of the prestigious 25 Best Big Companies to Work for list.
Motivated by her desire to keep growing, Liz became the Learning & Development Manager, leading initiatives in EDI, social mobility, and leadership development. Under her leadership, UK Power Networks reached 2nd place in the 2023 Inclusive Top 50 UK Companies List and earned the National Equality Standard and Investors in People Platinum again.
Liz has an unwavering commitment to creating a diverse and strong workforce, where everyone feels valued, respected and can participate fully in individual and organisational goals.

Harshil Sumaria
Harshil Sumaria is a Forecasting Engineer in the Network Insights team within UK Power Network’s Distribution System Operator (DSO), which aims to use smart technology to enable UK Power Networks to deliver a network ready for the future. He was shortlisted as a finalist in the Business Green Sustainability Executive of the year and the Institute of Engineering and Technology Young Pioneer of the Year in 2022. He chairs the organisation’s award-winning Employee Resource Group, EMPower and was shortlisted last year as UK Power Networks’ as ‘Everyone Matters Champion’. Alongside this, Harshil is the DSO’s union representative for Prospect.

How can you create a workplace culture that prevents sexual harassment?
2024-05-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
When we progress from simply raising awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace to actively trying to prevent it from happening in the first place it creates an opportunity for employers to make a real difference to their workplace culture. But how do you create impactful programmes of work that stand a chance of genuinely reducing the prevalence of sexual harassment?
Join psychologist Dr Nina Burrowes for this webinar in which she’ll share her expertise in using organisational culture to create a workplace environment where sexual harassment is identified, challenged, managed and ultimately prevented.
During this webinar we will discuss:

The difference between ‘raising awareness’ of sexual harassment and ‘prevention’ of sexual harassment
How do sexual harassers use company culture to their advantage and what can you do about it?
How can you empower members of staff to notice and challenge behaviour?
How can you create a workplace culture that supports reporting of harassment?
The importance of working in ways that are trauma informed and sensitive to members of staff who have lived experience of sexual harm
The importance of supporting staff who are responsible for driving and delivering this change in the workplace

This is a strategic session that will be suitable for anyone who has any responsibility for the way in which their organisation prevents or responds to sexual harassment. The webinar will be useful for those of you who want to have a sense of where your organisations is right now and what the path ahead might look like.
Bring your questions and your curiosity – both will be very welcome.

About the facilitator

Dr Nina Burrowes is a psychologist specialising in the topic of sexual harm. She started her career working for HM Prison Service as part of the Sex Offender rehabilitation team. After her time at the prison service Nina began working with Rape Crisis organisations, expanding her breadth of knowledge to those living with the impact of sexual harm. Nina has spent her career as an educator and activist, helping others benefit from an informed understanding of trauma, consent and sexual harm. She has talked about sexual harassment in parliaments and at music festivals. Nina has provided training to police officers, barristers, judges, the military, education and health professionals, therapists and students. She is the author of The courage to be me, the creator of the online video series ‘Sexual abuse. The questions you’ve never had the chance to ask‘, the presenter of the BBC’s ‘Rape Trials: Is the jury out?’, Patron of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre and the founder of The Consent Collective.

The Consent Collective is a social enterprise with a deep passion for activism and a commitment to social change at its heart. We help organisations and communities understand consent, trauma, relationships and sexual harassment. We work in multiple sectors bringing our depth of knowledge to a wide range of contexts. We use our expertise and resources to empower teams to deliver meaningful and impactful work in their organisations. Find out more about our work here.

Yellow Peril Awareness
2024-05-01 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
Facilitated by: Choon Young Tan & Abbey Wong
This webinar will start with an introduction to the discrimination against East and South-East Asian (ESEA) communities and supported with a brief dive into British and international ESEA histories, which have often been forgotten or unheard of, and how Yellow Peril has played its part in them. Next, Choon and Abbey will delve into the reasons why they are proactive in their approach to yellow peril and what can be done by the non-ESEA population, communities and workplaces. The webinar will then move onto the future of campaigns against yellow peril and racism towards ESEA communities and lastly, how people can address anti-ESEA racism, before finishing with questions and comments for Choon and Abbey. We look forward to welcoming Choon and Abbey for this informative and insightful webinar.

About the facilitators
Choon Young Tan
Choon is a wearer of many hats. From being an accomplished marketing professional and versatile writer with more than 15 years experience in those fields to a workplace culture specialist with a deep passion for ED&I (equity, diversity and inclusion), he is always striving to make a difference in the world. He does this through his writing, as a speaker and as a consultant.
Choon writes his own blog, Tan’s Topics and a LinkedIn newsletter “The ESEA Echo”, as well as volunteers as Head of Events at Voice ESEA. They aim to educate about issues affecting East and Southeast Asians, eradicate racism and empower ESEAs through events and amplifying their voices.
Much of Choon’s work also focuses on the intersectionality of ESEA people and barriers they face, including those who identify as LGBTQ, mental health, neurodiversity, and healthcare inequities.

Abbey Wong
Abbey is the Director at ‘Voice ESEA’, and started as the Data Team Lead at its inception 3 years ago. Through research and educational events, the Voice ESEA team is driven to enable top-down, data-driven change for the East and South-East Asian community across the UK. A proud third-generation immigrant on the shoulders of her grandparents, who navigated Britain from a take-away in Liverpool, she is committed to ensure the next generation of ESEA people feel safe, at home and empowered to excel in society. So far, the organisation’s continued focus on Freedom of Information Anti-ESEA hate crime data collection (ESEA Data Project, with EVR and KCL) has been featured on ITV news, in university modules, and in presentations to corporate audiences keen to learn about sustainable change.
Outside of advocacy work, Abbey works as a Full Stack Software engineer at an insure-tech company and volunteers as an Alumni Trustee at upReach, a social mobility charity. The last few of hours in the day are usually spent making ceramics or drawing in London’s galleries.

The Dos and Don’ts of Leading an Employee Network
2024-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Webinar
Having led Aviva Origins for over 2 years, Anna and Maiko will be sharing their challenges, successes and learnings, to help you run your own employee network effectively and support your people to do the same.
Having led Aviva Origins for over 2 years, Anna and Maiko will be sharing their challenges, successes and learnings, to help you run your own employee network effectively and support your people to do the same. Aviva Origins is a network with the broadest remit of all Aviva’s ERGs, covering race and ethnicity, faith and belief and social mobility. Co-Chairs Anna and Maiko got a seat at the Group CEO’s table to present their strategy to the Executive Committee, aligning their plans with Aviva’s ‘big four’ business priorities. They consulted to help to make Aviva’s advertising more inclusive of customers; they have collaborated across multiple ERGs to help them grow, creating the most intersectional International Women’s Day in Aviva’s history, attracting 13K impressions on social media; they have driven efficiency, with workstreams to focus on key areas, from the Black Professionals Network to social mobility; and finally, Origins has delved into the last taboo, religion to support the sustainability of communities. Their work is having a significant impact both across the business and the wider industry.
If you’re looking for tips and advice on how to gain momentum within your own employee network, this is the webinar for you.

About the facilitators
Anna Dilku
Anna Dilku leads Aviva’s corporate social media, having gained diverse experience across multiple communications disciplines since starting her career at the world’s largest media agency, WPP. She was the founding co-chair of Aviva Balance and has since co-chaired the organisation’s award-winning multicultural network, Aviva Origins. She has represented UN Women UK at the Commission on the Status of Women for the last 4 years and her work in inclusion has earned her Women in Finance’s Outstanding Contribution Award, Advertising Week’s Future is Female Award and CommsHero’s EDI Award. Anna is listed 8th globally in YouTube’s EMpower top 100 role models and features in the Media Leader’s Future 100 Club.
Maiko Adachi
Maiko Adachi is the interim Head of Legal for the Corporate Finance team within Aviva’s Group Legal function, and has co-chaired the organisation’s award-winning multicultural network, Aviva Origins. She has acted as lead counsel on a number of high profile transactions at Aviva including the acquisition of Succession Wealth and the disposal of Aviva’s Italian and Spanish businesses. Before joining Aviva, she was at Clifford Chance for 8 years, including 3 years in Tokyo. She was shortlisted as a finalist in the Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2024 in the DE&I Champion of the Year in a Legal Role category and is currently a committee member of the Law Society’s Ethnic Solicitor Network.

How To Overcome The Intention-Action Gap?
2024-04-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Webinar
How organisations address climate, equality, diversity, inclusion matters and other governance risks (ESG) is now viewed as being critical to the long-term sustainability and growth of any commercial or public service organisation. There is no silver bullet to secure equality of opportunity or access for all. It is a complex and “wicked” problem. Organisations in both the private and public sector are increasingly under the spotlight to do business more sustainably. The gap between our good intentions and our ability to take the necessary actions to achieve them is more common than you might think! The Intention-Action Gap occurs when our individual or organisational attitudes, values or intentions do not match our actions. At this virtual event, ABSTRACT‘s Sue Liburd MBE DL and Mark Fryer will explore how the gap can be influenced by motivated reasoning or performative actions and the impact that getting it right, or wrong, will have on your brand and performance, as well as the attraction and retention of the right people.

Objectives:
To close the gap between good intention and desired outcomes.
To reshape your thinking to inspire you to take action.

About the facilitators
Sue Liburd MBE DL
Sue is an award-winning businesswoman, human capital innovation consultant and business mentor. Sue has a special interest in assisting under-represented groups achieve C-suite success and is a recognised voice in the promotion of the importance and understanding of intersectionality and equality as a driver for business success. In recognition for her services to Business, Charities and Voluntary organisations, Sue was awarded an MBE in 2016. She won the Champion of Inclusion Award at the 2019 Inclusive Companies Awards, was a judge in 2022 and 2023, has been listed in the ‘HERoes 100 Women Executives List’ showcasing role models who are leading by example and driving change to increase diversity in the workplace and is an IOD Director of The Year Winner.

Mark Fryer
Before joining ABSTRACT as Chief Client Officer, Mark was Director of Distribution for a Private Banking division of a major UK Bank, working with some incredible business leaders and strategic thinkers. He has experienced first-hand the power of people within an organisation – something that has shaped his approach and focus since joining the team at ABSTRACT. Mark has a passion for collaborating, creating and making things happen with others. He takes pride using the skills and knowledge he’s developed to mobilise, motivate and support teams to unearth their best selves and achieve results. Mark and ABSTRACT share a common mission – To make the corporate world a fairer and better place.

About ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT empowers organisations to perform better, become more effective and harness the full potential of their people by providing engaging education, proven frameworks and toolkits for success. We are proud to have worked with some of the leading names within financial services, private banking, law, healthcare, sports and media. We have an enviable track record of delivering solutions that drive the desired results. Simply put… We seriously improve business through people! ABSTRACT was a finalist at the Inclusive Awards in 2022 and 2023 in the D&I Consultancy category.
www.abstractuk.co.uk

National Diversity Awards - Nomination process, everything you need to know!
2024-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Evidence | Judging | Shortlist

2024 see’s The National Diversity Awards celebrate 13 years of recognising thousands of charities, role models and community heroes across the UK for their devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion. With nominations for this year now open (Closing 15th May), Founder, CEO and change-maker Paul Sesay takes this prime opportunity to delve into a conversation about this year’s process.
In this webinar, we’ll be joined by a distinguished panel comprising a judge (David Villa-Clarke BEM, CEO, Aleto Foundation), a sponsor (Christos Tsaprounis, Head of People & Culture, Auto Trader UK), and a past winner (Dr Amo Raju OBE, Lifetime Achiever recipient & CEO of Disability Direct), of the UK’s largest diversity awards. Together, they’ll share their experiences, insights, and perspectives on the significance of diversity and inclusion initiatives, as well as the impact of being involved with such a renowned platform.
Nominations serve as a gateway to acknowledging individuals and organisations for their outstanding work. Join us to participate in a Q&A as our panellists share their insights, shedding a light on:

The role of the National Diversity Awards in promoting diversity & Inclusion
Insights into the nominations and judging process
The importance of nominations and acknowledging unsung heroes
The significance of sponsorship support in diversity initiatives
Personal journeys of winners and the impact of receiving an award

Guest Speakers

Dr. Amo Raju OBE DL
Dr. Amo Raju is one of the longest serving CEO’s of a user-led DPO in the country, having been with Disability Direct for over 29 years. Since 1997 he has generated over £28m in grants, contracts and chargeable services. In 2022 Amo won the ‘Outstanding 3rd Sector Achievement Award’ at The British Sikh Awards and also recognised by the University of Derby by award of a Doctorate for his services to the 3rd Sector and Disabled People. As a disabled person from the South Asian community Amo has recently published a highly commended book called ‘Walk Like A Man’ based on his own secret battles with depression and the wider world. Recently Amo was awarded an OBE for services to disabled people, carer and mental health and also became a Deputy Lieutenant for The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire and in turn, His Majesty King Charles III.

Paul Sesay
Paul Sesay is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diversity Awards, Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, Inclusive Awards and Inclusive Companies since 2006. Paul’s business acumen has mainly been with a social focus.
With over fifteen years worth of experience within the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion sector, Paul has worked with some of the largest organisations in the world on their diversity and inclusion profiles.
He has also worked within local communities to help people from various backgrounds to achieve and empower disadvantaged groups throughout the UK. Paul’s initiatives have helped thousands of organisations and individuals get recognised for their hard work and dedication to diversity.

Christos Tsaprounis FCIPD
Christos is a people geek and a diversity & inclusion advocate with a career across different industries ranging from digital to social housing. He spent four years at the Co-operative Bank before joining Auto Trader in 2014 where together with his brilliant team he focuses on creating a space where everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated and is empowered to thrive by being their authentic, true and best self. Driven by his passion for equal opportunities for all people, he leads the D&I and CSR strategies of one of the most admired digital businesses in the UK and 2018 Top 50 Inclusive Companies.
Born in Athens and moved to the UK in 2002 to complete his MSc in Human Resources at The University of Manchester after completing studies at the American College of Greece and the London School of Economics; he fell in love with the city and its people so he decided to make it his home. He is a actively involved in making a difference working with leading charities including Survivors Manchester, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Manchester Pride and Forever Manchester. Recognised for his contribution to his industry he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Impact Award by the Recruiter Magazine in 2018.”

David Villa-Clarke BEM, MBA, APFS
David is well known for his love of working with and developing young people to become great leaders. As the CEO of the Aleto Foundation, David gets to work with hundreds of young people in the pursuit of their excellence, either through sport or education.
As the owner of a financial planning business, David is passionate about helping people achieve financial wellbeing through education, as he sees this as the bedrock for social mobility.
An accomplished Toastmaster and Public Speaker David enjoys sharing success and motivational stories, via TEDx or to groups and societies in workshops.
He is the founder and president of Project Volunteer, a charity that works with orphanages in Botswana, which for the past 14 years, encourages volunteers from the UK to work on his giving back programme.
David was recognised for his services to charity with the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2017 New Years Honours list.
